Griffins Report: Grand Rapids splits weekend series with Manitoba

The Grand Rapids Griffins started the week off with a 4-0 loss on Wednesday to Chicago followed by a weekend split with Manitoba.  The loss to Chicago was the sixth consecutive loss to the Wolves this season.  The weekend split started with a 3-2 OT win followed by a 2-1 SO loss against the Moose.

The Griffins now have a record of 14-11-6, good for 3rd place in the Central Division.

Player Preview: Jonatan Berggren

Jonatan Berggren continues to dazzle with the Grand Rapids Griffins.  Every game, Berggren moves closer to being recalled to the parent club, the Detroit Red Wings.

On the weekend, Berggren scored a highlight reel OT goal on Friday followed by the primary assist on the Griffins only goal on Saturday.  In 29 games, Berggren has scored eight goals and 23 points, good for 3rd in Griffins scoring.

Berggren is in the first of his three-year entry level deal.  There is no rush to move Berggren to the big club but, he may force his way into the Detroit lineup if he continues to display his magic in the AHL.

According to eliteprospects.com, Berggren is earning $70,000 to play in the AHL.  When he is eventually recalled to Detroit, Berggren will have an annual cap hit of $925,000.

Detroit Prospect Update

Kyle Criscuolo played all three games for the Griffins last week.  Criscuolo scored one goal and added one assist and was the 2nd star on Friday during the 3-2 OT win.  On Saturday, Criscuolo scored during the shootout but, it wasn’t enough during the 2-1 SO loss.  For the season, Criscuolo is currently second in Griffins scoring with 11 goals and 24 points in 23 games.

Taro Hirose continues to play excellent for the Griffins.  On Friday, Hirose chipped in with one assist.  On Saturday, Hirose scored the lone goal and earned 2nd star of the game.  For the season, Hirose continues to lead the Griffins in scoring with eight goals, 19 assists, and 27 points in 30 games.  Hirose was added to the Detroit taxi squad on Sunday.

Calvin Pickard played Wednesday and Saturday for the Griffins.  On Wednesday, Pickard stopped 30/33 shots.  On Saturday, Pickard stopped 24/25 shots.  For the season, Pickard has played 25 games and has a 12-8-4 record, a 2.31 GAA, and a .930 SV%.  Pickard was added to the Detroit taxi squad on Sunday.

Victor Brattstrom played another solid game on Saturday for the Griffins.  Brattstrom stopped 25/27 shots and earned the win.   For the season in Grand Rapids, Brattstrom has a 2-3-2 record in seven games with a 4.03 GAA and an .873 SV%.

Next Week

Starting Tuesday, the Griffins play three games in seven days.  They begin the week when the team travels to Cleveland to play the Monsters.  Game time is 7:00 PM ET at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in downtown Cleveland, OH.  The Griffins host the Milwaukee Admirals on Saturday and complete the seven day stretch with another home game against the Toronto Marlies on Monday.  Both home games are at 7:00 PM ET at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, MI.